Peritoneal Mesothelioma is an aggressive, rare cancer resulted from exposure of asbestos. Roughly 10 to 20% of all mesotheliomas patients are diagnosed with the peritoneal one.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma progresses in person’s abdomen, in the cells called mesothelial that form a layer, known as peritoneum. Abdomen Mesothelioma like other Mesothelioma types, are resulted from exposure of asbestos. Though it may take many years for a person to demonstrate Peritoneal Mesothelioma symptoms, such cancer progresses when the fibers of asbestos become lodged in the spots between the mesothelial cells.

A person, who has Peritoneal Mesothelioma, might not demonstrate cancer symptoms for twenty to fifty years after initial exposure to asbestos since it frequently takes many years for Mesothelioma to progress. In Peritoneal Mesothelioma, fibers of asbestos travel into peritoneal layers where they result in inflammation and irritation and the cancerous cells developement which grow and divide uncontrollably.

The cells result in peritoneal layers’ fluid build-up and thickening of the peritoneum. As the cells, which are cancerous, continue to divide overtime, tumors begin to form. Most symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma are caused by the thickening of the membrane, build-up of fluid, and eventual development of tumor-all of which put pressure on internal organs.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma symptoms include: fatigue, abdominal swelling or pain, anemia, constipation or diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, lumps’ development under the abdomen skin, loss of weight, and fever or night sweats. Peritoneal Mesothelioma may not be based on symptoms alone.

The process starts with a complete patient examination, such as physical condition evaluation and medical history, followed by sophisticated diagnostic testing, as tissue and fluid imaging tests. Imaging tests include CT and X-Ray which used to detect any body abnormalities. Biopsy is generally done to confirm that cancer is Mesothelioma. A biopsy is a surgical minor test that involves the tissue or fluid removal from the peritoneum. After biopsy is performed, tissue and fluid is sent to the laboratory for testing.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma may be hard to treat because the cancer has usually progress to later development stages. An oncologist usually advices treatment to the patient to combat the tumor and use pain relief drugs. Usually, Peritoneal Mesothelioma treatment consists of radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation and Chemotherapy medications therapy kill and target cells which are cancerous that rapidly divide. Many patients with Peritoneal Mesothileoma are note candidates for surgery because Mesothelioma frequently spreads very extensively or because of general health of patient.

There are 2 main factors regarding how exposure of asbestos cause peritoneal mesothelioma:

1.Fibers of asbestos are inhaled and travel to the peritoneal membrane via the lymphatic system.

2. Fibers of asbestos are ingested, and such fibers work their way from digestive internal organs into the peritoneal membrane.

The exact way in which fibers of asbestos result in these mesothelial cells is unknown. One theory is that fibers of asbestos result in long-term irritation and inflammation that causes mesothelial cells becoming cancerous. When it happens, they lose ability of their own growth and division. Tumorous mesothelial cells grow and divide without restraint. Over time, as cells, which are cancerous continue to divide, tumors form as a result.